But over 260 Admirals gathered in Washington to communicate, face to face. To engage in dialogues on a personal basis. They came without aides and without sending a representative, principals only - at Admiral Boorda's direction.
Some meetings can only be done that way: when the intent is to build unity and a sense of mutual participation. The All Flag meeting worked its magic well. I overheard many greetings of this generic type, "It's great to see you. I haven't had a chance to talk to you in person since . . ."
In my case I renewed acquaintance with other Admirals I last saw at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), New Admiral's Indoctrination, Capstone, and the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC).
Admiral Boorda's philosophy is the one we use for the Multi RedCom Technical Training (MRTT) sessions. The training is personal and aimed at upgrading the current technical skill of the "high tech brain trust" - with special emphasis on the junior officer. Although senior officers need to be there to help build cohesiveness across the spectrum.
You can only do this kind of communication face-to-face. You can send a unit representative, because the experience of actually attending is paramount - just like the All Flags meeting. That meeting was so successful that Admiral Boorda intends to make it an annual event.
We have an East Coast and a West Coast MRTT to keep the expense down and to offer two opportunities for you to fit attendance into your schedule.
See you at the next MRTT - face-to-face.